Helium balloons subject of debate

Industry, activists clash over claims of threats to wildlife.

TRENTON, N.J. — When people release helium-filled balloons and send them into the sky, they’re doing more than marking a wedding or graduation. They’re also fueling the clash between the balloon industry and environmentalists seeking to deflate a tradition they say harms wildlife.

Critics call the balloons litter that poses a deadly threat to fish, birds and other animals, as well as hazards to powerlines. Disputing their contentions is the Balloon Council, a trade group based in Trenton that represents balloon manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers.

The council was founded in 1990, around the time activists in New Jersey first tried to ban balloon launches in the state, and has spent more than $1 million in the past five years lobbying against balloon regulations nationwide.

The group is again lobbying against a measure proposed in the New Jersey Senate to ban the balloon launches, arguing that the efforts is based on rumor, inaccurate news reports and “expert” assertions and would severely limit consumer’s rights.

“We take the issues seriously, but educating retailers and consumers is the best way to go,” said Dale Florio of the Princeton Public Affairs Group, a lobbying group that represents the council. Banning launches, he said, would unfairly hurt small businesses.

“We don’t want people to be afraid to handle balloons because they fear the balloon police will accuse them of wrongly releasing a balloon,” Florio said. “No business and no balloon retailer wants to contribute to the harm of any creature, but to say it’s a hazard, we think that’s way overblown.”

California, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia have laws that ban or restrict launches, as do some U.S. cities. At least two communities in Australia and one in the United Kingdom also impose restrictions. Atlantic City and three other communities on the New Jersey shore passed bans this year, and environmental groups have lobbied others to join in.

Many utility companies have spoken out, saying balloons can cause power outages when they hit electric lines. And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website includes photos of birds and a turtle that died after choking or strangled on balloon pieces or strings.

“The paint (on the balloons) will wear off over time, and become transparent,” said Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action, a New Jersey-based environmental group. “Marine life often mistake balloons for their natural prey, such as jellyfish, and the balloons can block their digestive systems of animals, causing a long and painful death.”

Balloons Blow, a nonprofit organization based in Jensen Beach, Fla., is a sharp and frequent critic of the Balloon Council. The group says people should consider eco-conscious alternatives — such as reusable banners, flags or pinwheels — instead of balloon launches when they stage public events, while those seeking to honor a departed loved one can plant trees or create gardens. They say many people mistakenly believe latex balloons are biodegradable.